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Police officer CU robbery suspect shot during chase

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (11/5/12)--An Iowa police officer and a suspect in a credit union robbery were released from the hospital after being wounded in a shootout Friday morning during a chase after the credit union was robbed.

Two suspects robbed the Lennox Employees CU, Marshalltown, Iowa, at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, then fled the bank with Marshalltown police in pursuit. One suspect fired his gun and hit an Officer Vern Jefferson in the leg. Jefferson returned fire, wounding Ben Crisantos, 22, Marshalltown, in the lower extremities, said police (SFGate.com Nov. 2).

A short time later, the second robbery suspect, Abel Ramirez, 22, also of Marshalltown, was arrested.

No one at the credit union was injured.

Police charged Crisantos with attempted murder and Ramirez with first-degree robbery, both Class B felonies. If convicted, they face up to 25 years in prison.